Sports

Matlama dare to dream again

Published

8 years ago

January 12, 2017

Luciah Phahla

Maseru – Maybe a change of voice was all Matlama needed.
Just a month after appearing to have lost their season ‘Tse Putsoa’ are on cloud nine thanks to last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Bantu at Setsoto Stadium that has Matlama fans daring to dream once more.

It was the perfect start to Seephephe “Mochini” Matete’s reign as ‘Tse Putsoa’ coach and whatever he said worked.
Matlama played with a swagger comparable to last season when they came within a point of winning the Vodacom Premier League.

For Matete the most important issue to fix when he took over at the beginning of December with Matlama having one win in five matches was to work on the players’ mental strength and reignite their “love of football”.

“The players should know why they are playing,” a satisfied Matete said after watching his charges defeat their visitors from Mafeteng. “You could see there was no discipline (when I arrived), they did not have love for football and they didn’t know what they were playing for,” he added.

“They were fighting saying supporters were not supporting them well. (But) they have to play for their team. I did not start well because I started at Christmas but I begged the players to come to training while they were still on their holidays and they did come.”
Matlama’s new-found commitment to the cause carried over onto the Setsoto pitch.

Tactically, Matete opted for a lone striker using last season’s top scorer Motebang Sera as his main target-man.
The strategy didn’t bring immediate dividends.

In the first half Matlama failed to create clear-cut chances and instead it was Bantu who fashioned good openings but couldn’t find a way past Tse Putsoa goalkeeper Monaheng Ramalefane.
Matlama’s fortunes changed in the second half as they returned a more refreshed side. Matete added more firepower upfront with Phafa Tšosane moving further forward to support Sera while Mabuti Potloane dropped deep in the midfield.

It was an inspired change. Soon after the restart Matlama defender Michael Mireku embarked on a solo run, dribbling past Bantu’s defence, before he crossed to an unmarked Tšosane who made no mistake with a well-placed finish from just outside the box.

Mireku then continued his man-of-the-match performance by helping Matlama secure a hard-fought clean-sheet.
Matete, though, reserved his highest praises for Matlama’s attack for persevering after firing blanks at the end of 2016.
“We are always working on finishing,” Matete said.
“A player will miss two or three chances and score one, it happens in football. But, the most important thing is to arrive in the opponent’s box and the fact that they got into Bantu’s box is good for us,” he said.

‘Tse Putsoa’ still remained seventh but, with 20 points, they are now seven points off first place.
While Matlama joyously celebrated, Bantu coach, James Madidilane, was left to rue missed chances.
Madidilane blamed a lack of communication amongst his players and admitted ‘A Matšo Matebele’ are now under pressure to maintain their position on top of the Vodacom Premier League.

Bantu, on 27 points, still lead the standings, one point ahead of Lioli and Kick4Life. But, the margin for error has disappeared.
“It was a lack of communication between our players (that led to Matlama’s goal),” Madidilane said.

“We dominated but we have to give credit to Matlama, they played well. Looking at the chances we created, we should have scored more and buried the game in the first half. We didn’t take our chances and Matlama made it very difficult for us.”
He added: “It is worse that we are number one (in the league). Now every team that comes to play us is a war. We have to make sure we win the next game.”
Observations from Matlama versus Bantu:
Saturday’s clash between Matlama and Bantu was a fabulous start to the Vodacom Premier League year as both teams produced a thoroughly entertaining affair at Setsoto.

In the end the game was decided by a cross from out wide which is how football is: crosses and set-pieces account for over two-thirds of all goals scored. However, the cross didn’t come from a winger; instead, it resulted from a marauding run by a central defender in Matlama’s Michael Mireku.

It was a feature of Saturday’s game that not once did a wide player from either side attack their defender and get to the by-line to cross the ball. Instead, all wingers on show continually elected to cut back inside into traffic.

Perhaps this was a tactic but it probably speaks to a wider problem in local football of wingers no longer attacking fullbacks and getting crosses into the box. This may explain the lack of goals this season — all 14 teams in the top-flight are averaging less than two goals per game — and it translates to the national team Likuena as well.

The Chuku effect
Peter “Chuku” Moloisane was Bantu’s most dangerous outlet, especially in the opening stages of the game. He started on the left wing and he gave Matlama rightback Mohai Mohai fits.
However, around the 30 minute mark, Moloisane switched flanks with Litšepe Marabe and Bantu began to lose the impetus they had in attack.

It was a curious decision from Bantu coach James Madidilane because until that point the Mafeteng side were having joy with Moloisane on the left and Marabe on the right.
Bantu’s reduced threat from the flanks was one of the reasons Matlama were able to force their way into the game.

Structure
Numerous times in the game there was no noticeable structure from both teams and the fact Matlama midfielders Relebohile Mabone and Mabuti Potloane held their position in the centre of the park was probably the deciding factor in the end.

Both teams, especially Bantu, were too eager to interchange positions on the field. It made the game overly random at times, especially in the second half when Bantu went all-out on attack in search of an equaliser while Matlama defended desperately and reverted to long balls forward to relieve pressure.

Prospects going forward
Things are a bit rosier for Matlama now than they were last week and they can approach Sunday’s game against Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) with confidence.
After LMPS they host Liphakoe and Butha-Buthe Warriors and realistically Matlama can hope for nine points from their next three games. If Matlama play with the same intensity they displayed against Bantu they can secure maximum points.

Matlama’s next three games:
15/01/17: LMPS v Matlama
22/01/17: Matlama v Liphakoe
29/01/17: Matlama v Butha-Buthe Warriors

Bantu’s slate of games for the rest of January is similarly decent, on paper. ‘A Matšo Matebele’ face the bottom three, Likhopo, Butha-Buthe Warriors and Rovers, in their next three games and would be disappointed if they don’t find themselves still top of the Vodacom premiership at the end of the month.

Bantu’s next three games:
15/01/17: Bantu v Likhopo
21/01/17: Butha-Buthe Warriors v Bantu
28/01/17: Rovers v Bantu

Lack of security
Although both sets of supporters were impeccably behaved during a beautiful afternoon of football, it was still a concern to see such little security on show.

After the game, fans easily invaded the pitch with players and club officials still on the field. This is concerning considering the incidents of crowd violence that blighted the opening months of the season and saw the death of a fan. Security at grounds is still not being taken seriously enough by clubs and the Premier League.

Sports

Ramakongoana off to World Athletics Championships

Published

6 days ago

January 13, 2025

The Post

MASERU

Lesotho Olympian Tebello Ramakongoana has booked a ticket to the 2025 World Athletics Championships after finishing second at the C&D Xiamen Marathon in China on Sunday.

Ramakongoana ran a brilliant race at the global event, and he finished in a Lesotho record time of 2:06:18 hours, just 12 seconds shy of first place.

Ethiopian Dawit Wolde secured title ahead of Ramakongoana in a time of 2:06:06.

Ramakongoana’s time has earned him automatic qualification to the World Championships set to be held in Tokyo in September this year and his performance in China took 1:40 minutes off the national record he set when he finished seventh at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

When speaking to local media, Ramakongoana’s American coach, James McKirdy, said the weather was warm but after 10 kilometres the sun appeared.

He said Ramakongoana ran a mostly strategic race with the focus to be amongst the front pack in the early stages of the race.

After 35km, the Olympian increased tempo and pushed the leading pack of 12 men that was a deciding point on who would make the podium.

From there the numbers in the leading group started to dwindle and with two kilometres to go, only four were in the running for podium places.

“(By) pushing hard, Tebello finished in 2:06:18 and earned 2nd place, both his time and his finishing position earned him the automatic standard for the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo later this year,” McKirdy said.

“The Xiamen Marathon is an out and back course with moderate hills along the coast of China.

“Tebello’s time was also under the former course record and now sits as the second fastest time ever run for the event,” he continued.

The athlete is currently abroad in the United States where he is based and training.

He was Lesotho’s standout performer at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Ramakongoana finished fourth at the 2023 World Athletics Championships and he will hope to claim a medal at this year’s games scheduled to be held from September 13 to 21 in Tokyo, Japan.

Tlalane Phahla

Sports

Ramalefane request unsettles Matlama

Published

6 days ago

January 13, 2025

The Post

MASERU

Matlama’s season, brimming with potential and promise, now teeters on the brink of unnecessary distraction due to the off-pitch antics of goalkeeper Monaheng Ramalefane.

His request to be released from his contract after losing his starting position to Leluma Mofoka has sparked a debate about professionalism, teamwork, and respect for contracts in football on social media.

Ramalefane’s behaviour should be a reminder that football is a team sport, not a platform for individual egos.

It is the timing of his letter as well that leaves a sour taste, with Matlama sitting atop the Vodacom Premier League and preparing for a crucial game against Majantja.

It’s a moment when the club needs unity, not controversy.

Yet, Ramalefane’s actions could undermine the club’s campaign.

What makes this scenario even more remarkable is Ramalefane’s history.

He once was the young shot-stopper, benching senior goalkeepers to become Matlama’s number one.

Now, with Mofoka in the ascendancy, Ramalefane appears unable to cope with the same competition he once thrived in.

Instead of embracing the challenge, he has chosen to walk away, which raises questions about his mentality and commitment.

Such behaviour is disappointing, not just for Matlama but for the broader Lesotho football community.

Ramalefane has been on the national team radar, with many believing he had the potential to be Likuena’s number one.

However, his antics, including skipping national team duties in the past, suggest a worrying trend of indiscipline.

Talent alone is not enough; discipline and a strong work ethic are equally important, qualities that Ramalefane seems to be lacking.

Matlama’s management need to act decisively to prevent his discontent from spreading within the squad.

Allowing such behaviour to go unchecked could set a bad precedent.

However, I do think this is an opportunity for the goalkeeper to reflect.

Rather than seeking an easy exit, perhaps he should consider the impact of his actions on his teammates and the supporters.

It would be best for him to put his head down, work hard, and earn back his spot.

With the fans, who have supported Matlama through thick and thin, he is unlikely to have many sympathisers on his side.

I think the fans would respect and love a player who fights for his place rather than one who demands special treatment when things don’t go their way.

Ultimately, this situation is a test for Matlama as a club and Ramalefane’s maturity as a professional.

Tlalane Phahla

Sports

Double header at Bambata

Published

6 days ago

January 13, 2025

The Post

MASERU

The Vodacom Premier League resumes this weekend after the Christmas break, and football fans are gearing up for what should be an exciting second half of the season.

Five teams are in the race to claim the coveted premiership trophy and the exciting title chase has seen scores of football fans flock to the grounds this season.

What makes the league’s restart even more interesting is the open January transfer window, which adds another layer of excitement as enthusiasts follow along as clubs hustle to bolster their squads for the business end of the season.

On the field, the action gets underway on Saturday when the first double header of the New Year takes place at Bambatha Tšita Sports Arena.

The first encounter will see Bantu, who are currently third on the log standings, take on bottom side ACE Maseru.

Title-chasing Bantu have an opportunity to close the gap on leaders Matlama to just two points with a victory, and ‘A Matšo Matebele’ would still have a game in hand.

ACE Maseru, other the other, remain winless this season and are rooted to the bottom of the table with only three points from 12 games.

As things stand, the premiership debutants require a miraculous turnaround if they are to avoid a swift return to the second tier.

In the second game of the double header, defending champions Lioli will take on another relegation threatened outfit in 15th-placed Mzamane.

A win for the champions would bring them within a point of leaders Matlama.

Matlama, for their part, have a difficult away game against Majantja in Mohale’s Hoek on Sunday.

Majantja, 10th on the log with 14 points, are aiming to finish in the top eight.

For Matlama, the match is critical to maintaining their lead but they will need to dig deep to secure maximum points on the road.

Elsewhere, Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) will take on Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) in a rivalry clash at Ratjomose Ground on Saturday.

The match is vital for both teams for different reasons.

Third-placed LMPS, currently level on points with Bantu, need a win to keep pace in the title race while 9th-placed LCS are desperate to kick-start what has been a disappointing campaign by their standards.

Lifofane and Linare’s encounter in Butha-Buthe is another game to lookout for.

Struggling Linare, who are languishing in 11th-place, will hope to gain some momentum against a Lifofane side that is riding high in sixth place.

The patience of Linare fans is wearing thin and a win is imperative for ‘Tse Tala’ to retain their supporters’ trust.

Weekend fixtures:

Saturday 11th January
Lioli vs Mzamane (Bambatha 16:30) (Live on FIFA+)
LCS vs LMPS (Ratjomose 16:00) (Live on FIFA+)
Bantu vs ACE Maseru (Bambatha 14:00)
Manonyane vs Machokha (Nyakosoba 16:00)
Sunday 12th January
Majantja vs Matlama (Mohale’s Hoek 16:00)
LDF vs Liphakoe (Ratjomose 16:00)
Lifofane vs Linare (Butha-Buthe 16:00)
Lijabatho vs LU FC (Morija 16:00)

Tlalane Phahla